The WAG Express

8th December 2008

No, not the Wife and Girlfriend Express, but the new Welsh Assembly Government's prestigious service from Holyhead to Cardiff (and by passing Wrexham-so I call it the Wrexham Avoiding Government Express!).

I shouldn't be too critical, considering all the extra services that the Welsh Assembly have invested in, and now news of Ł20m to create improvements along the single line between Saltney Jct. and Wrexham, creating passing loops. Its a shame that the single span Wrexham by-pass bridges over the line prevent the redoubling of the complete stretch.

Anyway, the reliveried 57s do look smart, as does the stock. Loco hauled rail travel is the only way to travel in comfort-look no further than the W&S London services. And, as it happens, the 0725 to Marylebone from Wrexham connects with te train at Shrewsbury at 0805, so travel from Wrexham to Cardiff is loco hauled all the way after all!!

And I am no expert on photography at night, so those pictures may not be up to anyone else's standards. Getting an accurate colour balance is most tricky, though is easy to adjust in the RAW files. Any advice on this is appreciated! More pictures will be added as the service develops!

After 5 months of operation, this is my first shot in daylight!! 57315 stabled at Holyhead under clear blue skies on May 9. 2009-05-09 14:15:00 Buy Print	57315 stabled at Holyhead on May 9. 2009-05-09 14:12:00 Buy Print	Now, how many commutes would have expected to be travelling on this? I wonder if First Class travel was an option, as the train replaced the usual 175/158? 2009-01-10 08:48:00 Buy Print	This purpose of this unusual working was to take a faulty buffet car to Canto for attention. 57316 about to leave from Wrexham General, with 57315 at the rear. 2009-01-10 08:46:00 Buy Print
I never thought I'd be taking a picture of this train in daylight at Wrexham! 57316 and 57315 operated 1V53 0633 Holyhead-Cardiff replacing the usual 175/158 working. 2009-01-10 08:45:00 Buy Print	57316 in neutral blue livery on the rear of the Wrexham Avoiding Government Express, at Chester! 2008-12-18 19:17:00 Buy Print	A second version of the ATW 57s at Shrewsbury, with a slight adjustment to crop and colour balance. 2008-12-18 12:00:00 Buy Print	57313, now top and tail with M10588, waits to leave Crewe. 2008-12-17 18:58:00 Buy Print
Failed 57314 dead at Platform 12, with MK3 Sleeper M10588. 2008-12-17 18:48:00 Buy Print	Thunderbird 57313 at Crewe, with ATW liveried 57314-failed-and Sleeper M10588 2008-12-17 18:45:00 Buy Print	57314 at Shrewsbury. 2008-12-15 19:18:00 Buy Print	57314 at Shrewsbury with the return inaugural ATW loco hauled service between Cardiff and Holyhead. The head board refers to Welsh Gerald-a 12th century writer and preacher-the relevance escapes me!). 2008-12-15 18:24:00 Buy Print
57315 (ex Virgin Class 57 The Mole) at the rear of the train 2008-12-08 19:19:00 Buy Print	57315 in new Arriva Livery. I hope these 57s are renamed. 2008-12-08 19:19:00 Buy Print	57314 waits to leave Chester for Holyhead. 2008-12-08 19:18:00 Buy Print	57314 in new Arriva Livery with the Cardiff-Holyhead dummy run, in readiness for the introduction of the WAG express. 2008-12-08 19:18:00 Buy Print
Looking very smart in its new livery, ex Virgin Class 57 Thunderbird 57314 Firefly stands at Chester with a dress rehearsal for the new WAG express. 2008-12-08 19:16:00 Buy Print